Improvement in compositions for tanning skins and hides



UNITED STATES w. 1). summer, or CLEVELAND. OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMPOSITIONS FOR TANNING SKINS AND HIDES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2,966,.dated January 31, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W. D. HUNTING, of Cleveland, in the county of Cuyah'oga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tanning Skins and Hides; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The nature of my invention consists in the use of a compound of tanning ingredients composed of terra-japonica, the leaves and bark of the black-elder plant, (genus Sambucas,) nut-galls,starch, common salt, alum, and whiting, (chalk,) by which I am enabled to make beautiful, firm, durable, and flexible leather with a great saving of labor and expense in, comparison with other processes as now practiced.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it as briefly and clearly as possible.

, After the skins are limed and hated, or otherwise prepared for tanning in the usual manner, which need not be described, I take the following quantities of substances for tanning twelve (12) calf-skins of the common size: To seven (7) gallons of boiling soft water placed in a suitable vessel, 1 add fifteen (15) pounds of terra-japonica, four (4) ounces of dry elder leaves and bark, and six (6) ounces of powdered nut-galls, and stirthem thoroughly untiltheyarecompletelymacerated. Then I add eight (8) gallons of cold water, makings. total of fifteen gallons. I now add one pound of common potato-starch and an equal quantity of common salt, and stir the whole up until they are well mixed together, when the liquor is ready to receive the skins. These are now entered and handled well for fourhours, when they are lifted out, and four (4) ounces of alum (dissolved) and fourteen (14) ounces of common whiting added. The liquor is now stirred up well and the skins again entered, taking care to handle them carefully.

The tanning effect would be the same were the alum and whiting mixed with the other substances at first; but I have found that by so doing the leather acquires a yellow color,

which militates against its sale; but by handling the skins for four hours in the liquor described before the alum is used the objection able yellow color is obviated.

By handling the skins from time to time in the liquor described for about six or eight days the tanning process is completed, and the skins converted into good leather.

After the liquor is made, as set forth, there is no more added to it. The quantity of intwelve skins each do not require more than about two-thirds of the quantities of substances specified to tan them.

With abut four times the foregoing-described quaintities of water and substances, kip and cov hides will be tanned in about from ten to fifteen days, and with six times the quantities, for the twelve calf skins described, harness and sole leather will be tanned in about from thirty to forty days. This may be called a short process, saving a. great dealof time as well as expense in tanning leather.

The following is an explanation of the action of the substances or ingredients employed so far as I am able to give it: Much saltis'objectiouable to use, because it is hygrometic; but the quantity which I employ seems to impart the exact amount of moisture required to give the leather a good finish. The terra-japonica and nut-galls contain a great amount of tannin; but while they make the leather firm and solid they are liable to make it harsh, hard,and brittle. The alum, elder, and starch prevent the leather becoming brittle, the starch being of a tawing character. The starch also tends to produce a beautifuhglossy, smooth, and firm surface in finishing the leather. .The wfhiting, while it does not prevent the action 0 the tanning substances, greatly modifies the color of the leather, and makes it resemble that tanned by oak-bark.

I can also use oak or hemlock bark as part of my composition. In such a case I would employ less terra-japonica and galls than the amount specified.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letter Patent, 1s--- The composition of terra-japonica, nut-galls,

elder, alum, salt, whiting, and starch in the proportions stated, in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth.

W. D. BUN TING.

Witnesses:

N. E. WILcox, L. B. WHITNEY. 

